(Nanowerk News) Leica Microsystems is bringing its new A series to the market especially for the requirements in production of printed circuit boards or medical products: The Leica A60 F and A60 S stereomicroscopes make products and components optimally visible, enable subassemblies to be processed easily, and increase productivity.

Preconfigured systems for easy operation with the best optical results: the Leica A60 S with swing arm and the Leica A60 F with flex arm.

Leica A60: the stereomicroscope that sees more

For assembly and repair tasks, components often measure only a few millimeters, although the entire workpiece is considerably larger. For that reason, the Leica A60 has a magnification range from 5× to 30×, which permits detail observations as well as an overview of the specimen. With 46 mm, the Leica A60 also provides the largest object field of its class. Thanks to the patented FusionOptics™ tech¬nology, the Leica A60 provides a depth of field of 13.6 mm in the lowest zoom level – time-consuming refocusing of higher components is no longer required.

The largest field volume for the highest productivity

With these values, the Leica A60 achieves a field volume of 22.6 cm3 and thereby surpasses compa¬rable instruments many times over. The field volume is the most important indicator of a routine stereo¬microscope: All parts of a specimen within the specified volume are displayed in sharp focus. Therefore a high field volume means that the user does not have to refocus or move the specimen as much. That makes the workflow shorter and easier, reduces the risk of errors, and preserves the ability to concen¬trate. All of these factors together lead to a substantial increase in productivity.

The secret of FusionOptics™

With the innovative FusionOptics™ technology, the left beam path provides great depth of field, while the right beam path supplies an image with high resolution. The human brain then combines the best infor¬mation from both channels to compose an image. The result is depth perception improved by 100 percent in comparison to the conventional optical concept.

The right lighting for every application

The Leica A60 stereomicroscope is equipped with a bright, uniform, and daylight-like LED ring illumina¬tor plus removable diffuser. The dimmable LED ring illuminator illuminates the finest details even on dark specimens and makes fault location on matte surfaces easier. With highly reflective surfaces such as metal or soldering points, the diffuser diminishes bothersome reflections and shiny spots, finest de¬tails become visible. This is easier on the user's eyes and makes it easier for him or her to concentrate.

Convenience and safety for more quality

With its high degree of ESD dissipation, the patented, antistatic plastic of the Leica A60 housing helps to protect against damage caused by static electricity. Both the Leica A60 S with swing arm and the Leica A60 F with flex arm offer the greatest possible flexibility when using the microscope, since they are extremely space-saving: If the microscope is not needed, it is simply swung to the side.

Leica Microsystems is a leading global designer and producer of innovative, high-tech, precision optical systems for the analysis of microstructures. It is one of the market leaders in each of its business areas: Microscopy, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy with corresponding Imaging Systems, Specimen Preparation, and Medical Equipment. The company manufactures a broad range of products for numer¬ous applications requiring microscopic imaging, measurement, and analysis. It also offers system solu¬tions for life science including biotechnology and medicine, research and development of raw materials, and industrial quality assurance. The company is represented in over 100 countries with 13 manufactur¬ing facilities in 8 countries, sales and service organizations in 19 countries and an international network of dealers. The international management is headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany.